“The hardest thing to see is what is in front of your eyes.” - Goethe 1 These leaves could save millions of lives. 1 Balbir S. Mathur President 3 Some call it a miracle. Could it also be good science? 2 A potential life-saver In a remote village of eastern India, I was approached by an old and dignified practitioner of traditional medicine. He had learned that Trees for Life was helping villagers plant fruit trees, and he had traveled more than a hundred miles to meet me. As we talked, he made an outrageous claim: “The leaves of the Moringa tree prevent 300 diseases.” His claim was based on real-life experience. Now science is confirming the idea. The more we study, the more it seems that the Moringa oleifera tree truly delivers won- ders. The leaves of this tree are worthy of special attention. Traditional medicine in sev- eral countries has used these leaves to cure a host of diseases. Clinical studies are suggesting that traditional medicine has been on the right track. Nutritional analyses show that the leaves are very high in protein and contain all of the essential amino acids, including two amino acids that are especially important for children’s diets. This is most uncommon in a plant food. Moringa leaves are also packed with essential vitamins and minerals—especially vitamins A and C. Delivering such powerful nutrition, these leaves could prevent the scourge of malnutrition and related diseases. To top it off, Moringa is a fast-growing, drought-resistant tree that grows even in marginal soils and with very little care. Some call it a miracle. Could it also be good science? Please spend a few minutes learning the story of Moringa. Then seriously consider joining hands with the worldwide community to explore how this remarkable tree could serve the people of your nation. These humble leaves have the potential to deliver the nutrition needed to prevent and cure diseases and save populations. Balbir S. Mathur President Trees for Life, 3006 W. St. Louis, Wichita, KS 67203-5129 USA Ph: 316.945.6929 Fax: 316.945.0909 info@treesforlife.org www.treesforlife.org © 5 Gram-for-gram comparison of nutritional information 1 7 times the Vitamin C of Oranges 4 times the Calcium of Milk 3 times the Potassium of Bananas 2 times the Protein of Yogurt 4 times the Vitamin A of Carrots Tiny leaves. Enormous benefits. = 4 7 Phosphorus Vitamin B1 Chromium Manganese Potassium Iron Protein Vitamin C Copper Vitamin B2 Vitamin B3 Zinc Magnesium Vitamin A Calcium 6 It’s like growing multi-vitamins at your doorstep. 9 to build strong, healthy bodies. 8 Rare for a plant source, Moringa leaves contain all the essential amino acids (proteins) 11 These leaves come from the humble tree, Moringa oleifera. Africa Benin: Patima, Ewé ilé Burkina Faso: Argentiga Cameroon: Paizlava, Djihiré Chad: Kag n’dongue Ethiopia: Aleko, Haleko Ghana: Yevu-ti, Zingerindende Kenya: Mronge Malawi: Cham’mwanba Mali: Névrédé Niger: Zôgla gandi Nigeria: Ewe ile, Bagaruwar maka Senegal: Neverday, Sap-Sap Somalia: Dangap Sudan: Ruwag Tanzania: Mlonge Togo: Baganlua, Yovovoti Zimbabwe: Mupulanga Asia Bangladesh: Sajina Burma: Dandalonbin Cambodia: Ben ailé India: Sahjan, Murunga, Moonga Indonesia: Kalor Pakistan: Suhanjna Philippines: Mulangai Sri Lanka: Murunga Taiwan: La Mu Thailand: Marum Vietnam: Chùm Ngây South and Central America, Caribbean Brazil: Cedro Colombia: Angela Costa Rica: Marango Cuba: Palo Jeringa Dominican Republic: Palo de aceiti El Salvador: Teberinto French Guiana: Saijhan Guadeloupe: Moloko Guatemala: Perlas Haiti: Benzolive Honduras: Maranga calalu Nicaragua: Marango Panama: Jacinto Puerto Rico: Resada Suriname: Kelor Trinidad: Saijan Oceania Fiji: Sajina Guam: Katdes Palau: Malungkai Additional names: www.treesforlife.org/moringa/names While Moringa oleifera is the most well-known species of Moringa, some names may refer to other species. Native to the Indian sub-continent, Moringa has spread around the world. Some common names: English: Drumstick tree, (Horse)radish tree, Mother’s best friend, West Indian ben Spanish: Ben, Árbol del ben, Morango, Moringa French: Bèn ailé, Benzolive, Moringa 10 13 Countries with 20-35% of population malnourished 2 Countries with 5-19% of population malnourished 2 Countries where Moringa grows Malnutrition precisely where people need it most. 12 The Moringa tree grows… Nutritious Moringa 15 “ Moringa shows great promise as a tool to help overcome some of the most severe problems in the developing world—malnutrition, deforestation, impure water and poverty. The tree does best in the dry regions where these problems are worst.” - Andrew Young, former Atlanta Mayor and United Nations Ambassador 6 “ Although few people have ever heard of it today, Moringa could soon become one of the world’s most valuable plants, at least in humanitarian terms.” - Noel Vietmeyer, US National Academy of Sciences, Washington D.C. 8 “Among the wide range of Green Leafy Vegetables, Moringa is the richest source of Beta-Carotene [vitamin A], apart from providing other important micronutrients.” - Dr. Kamala Krishnaswamy, former Director, Indian Council of Medical Research, Hyderabad 7 14 “A major advantage to Moringa is the fact that it is a local resource. This contrasts with many of the ongoing programs designed to fight malnutrition which depend on imported products and outside support. …Moringa is a very simple and readily available solution to the problem of malnutrition.” - Lowell J. Fuglie, in The Miracle Tree - Moringa oleifera: Natural Nutrition for the Tropics 5 “ Among the leafy vegetables, one stands out as particularly good, the horseradish [Moringa] tree. The leaves are one of the best plant foods that can be found.” - Dr. Frank W. Martin, in Survival and Subsistence in the Tropics 4 “ Green leafy vegetables and fruits supply much needed essential micronutrients like beta-carotene [vitamin A], vitamin C, folic acid, and also calcium and potassium. Moringa leaves in particular are a rich, inexpensive source of micronutrients.” - Dr. C. Gopalan, President, Nutrition Foundation of India 3 17 THE NEED: Moringa leaves have been used in the traditional medicine passed down for centuries in many cultures. Now they have also attracted interest in the modern scientific community. In the recent past, more than 750 studies, articles and other publications have included Moringa (see examples on page 30). * However, most of the studies are either nutritional analyses or laboratory studies with animals. There are very few studies of the effects on human beings. Considering the potentially enormous benefits to humanity, the time has come for medically controlled studies with human subjects that document the bio-availability of nutrients in Moringa leaves and their effectiveness over a long period of time. As the Moringa tree has spread from the Indian sub-continent throughout the tropical and sub-tropical world, it has adapted itself to local condi- tions, resulting in many variations. Thus, localized studies are needed to test the leaves’ nutritional content and effects in different areas. *Complete list of studies and publications available at: www.moringanews.org/biblio_en.html 16 Localized scientific studies are needed [...]... replied, “The life of the bird is in your hands.” Like the living bird in the parable, the life-saving promise of the Moringa tree is in your hands Please act with wisdom Moringa supplemental materials These pieces will accompany the Moringa book Poster: 11” x 14” Moringa image and slogan, with information about benefits of Moringa leaves at bottom Brochure: 8-page foldout, 11" x 4.25" A handout piece to. .. conjunctivitis, cough, diarrhea, eye and ear infections, fever, glandular swelling, headaches, abnormal blood pressure, hysteria, pain in joints, pimples, psoriasis, respiratory disorders, scurvy, semen deficiency, sore throat, sprain, tuberculosis intestinal worms headache, skin infections, sores Philippines anemia, glandular swelling, lactation Puerto Rico intestinal worms Senegal diabetes, pregnancy, skin infections,... 4 times the Vitamin A of Carrots 7 times the Vitamin C of Oranges 4 times the Calcium of Milk 3 times the Potassium of Bananas ¾ the Iron of Spinach 2 times the Protein of Yogurt 24 10 times the Vitamin A of Carrots ½ the Vitamin C of Oranges 17 times the Calcium of Milk 15 times the Potassium of Bananas 25 times the Iron of Spinach 9 times the Protein of Yogurt 25 Case Study: Treating Malnutrition... and Uses History of Moringa Moringa oleifera is the best known of the thirteen species of the genus Moringacae Moringa was highly valued in the ancient world The Romans, Greeks and Egyptians extracted edible oil from the seeds and used it for perfume and skin lotion The first part of this book dealt with the poten- In the 19th century, plantations of Moringa in the West Indies exported the oil to Europe... Medicine 21 Nutritional Value Nutritional Value Vitamin and Mineral Content of Moringa Leaves Nutritional Value of Moringa Leaves Nutritional analyses indicate that Moringa leaves contain a wealth of essential, disease-preventing nutrients They even contain all of the essential amino acids, which is unusual for a plant source Since the dried leaves are concentrated, they contain higher amounts of many of. .. thousands of hours to this effort—and it is not necessary This book is their gift to the world Sappi, producers of coated fine paper, for awarding the “Ideas That Matter” grant for creative ideas for print that support social and environmental causes McCormick Armstrong Co Inc., printers, for their generous help with printing Fiji Blend, producers of tanning products with Moringa ingredients, for funding... malnourished infants treated every year During the test, doctors, nurses, and midwives were trained in preparing and using Moringa leaf powder for treating malnutrition Village women were also trained in the preparation and use of Moringa leaf powder in foods For centuries, people in many countries have used Moringa leaves as traditional medicine for common ailments Clinical studies have begun to suggest... made use of these properties While the focus of this book is on the leaves, other parts of the tree are also worthy of further study However, an effort has been made to provide enough information to get you started For those who wish to proceed further, links are provided to the worldwide community waiting to join hands with you Characteristics: Deciduous tree or shrub, fast-growing, drought-resistant,... musician would improvise, playfully challenging his or her accompanists to keep up The accompanists would rise to the occasion, radiating joy in the dance of creativity We, the audience, did not just hear the music; we experienced the process of creation Céline Louis and Camille Henry, who came from France and brought their great dedication and stamina to the research and collecting of the scientific... fodder, farming practices, discovery of unknown varieties and potential uses not yet considered However, this book brings attention to the need for study of one narrow, but vitally important, aspect: human malnutrition Study of this subject will require: 1 Further analyses of the nutritional properties of Moringa leaves 2 Scientific examinations of the claims of Moringa leaves’ ability to fight diseases . “The life of the bird is in your hands .” Like the living bird in the parable, the life-saving promise of the Moringa tree is in your hands. Please act with wisdom. Poster: 1 1” x 1 4” Moringa image. “The hardest thing to see is what is in front of your eyes. ” - Goethe 1 These leaves could save millions of lives. 1 Balbir S. Mathur President 3 Some. trained in the preparation and use of Moringa leaf powder in foods. This test found the following effects to be common among subjects taking Moringa leaf powder: Children maintained or increased